The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a declaration yesterday where the 10 member countries agreed “to promote and uphold the rule of law in the conduct of relations, including in the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.”
At the culmination of the summit by the group’s heads of state, the latter also agreed “to strengthen cooperation for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
The leaders also called “on all parties to exercise self-restraint and non-use of force, as well as refrain from taking actions that would further escalate tension and to work towards an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) as reflected in the ASEAN’s Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea.”
President Aquino immediately welcomed the support shown by the ASEAN heads of state to the country’s position that the rule of law must prevail in resolving territorial disputes. Aquino earlier made it clear that he wanted firmer action over China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea, also known as the South China Sea.
Concerns over China’s action were a key topic yesterday in the first ASEAN summit hosted by Myanmar.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in his extemporaneous remarks following his prepared statement, also emphasized the need for ASEAN solidarity.